Background
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is common in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. The objectives of this study were to describe our early clinical experience of transcatheter PDA closure (TCPC) in ELBW infants, compare outcomes with surgical ligation of PDA (SLP), and identify risk factors for prolonged respiratory support.
Methods
A retrospective review was performed comparing infants born <27 weeks, weighing <1 kg at birth and < 2 kg during TCPC with 2:1 propensity‐score matched group of infants that underwent SLP. Change in respiratory severity scores (RSS) immediately post‐procedure and the time taken for return to pre‐procedure RSS for TCPC versus SLP was compared. Factors contributing to prolonged elevation of RSS were identified.
Results
Eighty ELBW infants (median procedure weight: 1060 [range 640–2000] grams) that underwent successful TCPC were compared with 40 infants that underwent SLP (procedure weight 650–1760 g). There was greater increase in RSS following SLP compared to TCPC (76% vs. 18%; P < 0.01). It took longer for RSS to return to pre‐procedural scores post‐SLP compared to post‐TCPC (28 vs. 8.4 hr; P < 0.01). Elevated pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and TCPC at >8 weeks of age were associated with prolonged (>30‐days) elevation of RSS ≥ 1 (OR = 5.4, 95%CI: 2.2–9.4, P < 0.01 and OR = 2.86, 95%CI: 1.5–4.2, P = 0.05 respectively). Overall complication rate for TCPC was 3.7%.
Conclusions
TCPC is feasible in infants as small as 640‐2000 g and can be performed safely in the majority. TCPC may offer faster weaning of respiratory support compared to SLP when performed earlier in life, and before the onset of elevated PAP.
Objective
Advancements in transcatheter technology have now made it possible to safely close patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. The objective of this article is to describe our technique for transcatheter PDA closure (TCPC) in ELBW infants.
Design
The techniques employed are very specific to this population and are drastically different when compared to the procedure performed in patients weighing >5 kg.
Setting
A multidisciplinary team approach should be taken to evaluate and manage ELBW infants in order to achieve success. It is important that specific techniques with venous‐only approach outlined in this article be followed to achieve optimal results with low risk of complications.
Patients
To date, in Memphis, 55 ELBW infants have had successful TCPC at a weight of ≤1000 g with minimal procedure‐related complications.
Interventions
It is important that specific techniques with venous‐only approach outlined in this article be followed to achieve optimal results with low risk of complications.
Outcome measures
This procedure entails a steep learning curve and should be limited to specialized centers with expertise in these thanscatheter procedures.
Results
There has been 100% procedural success of performing TCPC in children ≤1000 g. There have been only two procedure‐related complications which happened to the first two patients, ≤1000 g, that we performed TCPC on.
Conclusions
It is feasible and probably safe to perform TCPC in children ≤1000 g. The techniques described in this article represent our institutional experience and have helped us improve clinical outcomes in ELBW infants.
The hemodynamic effects of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) are well known including systemic hypoperfusion and volume overload on the left ventricle. This article aims to provide a review of the long‐standing effect of a hemodynamically significant PDA on the pulmonary vasculature and the role of cardiac catheterization in preterm infants with a PDA and pulmonary hypertension.
Advances in technology have lowered the limits of viability in premature births to 24 weeks of gestation. This brought forth a new population of children, who are born 3-4 months early and spent considerable amounts of time in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), instead of sterile environment of mother's womb. Besides, other problems associated with prematurity, these children often undergo invasive procedures resulting in mucosal inflammation and/ or injury by feeding tubes, endotracheal tubes, and prolonged IV catheter. To test whether "ex-preemie-infants" were different than "term-infants" with regard to their immunity, preterm infants (< 32 weeks) and term infants (control) at the corrected age of 9-12 months were analyzed for their resting and stimulated immune responses. Preterm infants had a significant Th1 skewed response, higher number of activated and functionally competent T cells compared to term infants. The critical role of neonatal environmental exposure on immune system development is imminent; nevertheless detailed mechanistic studies on pathways are warranted.
Background
Hypercapnia causes cerebral vasodilation and increased cerebral blood flow (CBF). During prolonged hypercapnia it is unknown whether cerebral vasodilation persists and whether cerebrovascular function is preserved. We investigated the effects of prolonged severe hypercapnia on pial arteriolar diameters (PAD) and cerebrovascular reactivity to vasodilators and vasoconstrictors.
Methods
Piglets were anesthetized, intubated and ventilated. Closed cranial windows were implanted to measure PAD. Changes in PAD were documented during hypercapnia (PaCO2 75–80 mm Hg). Cerebrovascular reactivity was documented during normocapnia and at 30, 60 and 120 min of hypercapnia.
Results
Cerebral vasodilation to hypercapnia was sustained over 120 min. Cerebrovascular responses to vasodilators and vasoconstrictors were preserved during hypercapnia. During hypercapnia, vasodilatory responses to second vasodilators were similar to normocapnia, while exposure to vasoconstrictors caused significant vasoconstriction.
Conclusions
Prolonged severe hypercapnia causes sustained vasodilation of pial arteriolar diameters indicative of hyperperfusion. During hypercapnia, cerebral vascular responses to vasodilators and vasoconstrictors were preserved, suggesting that cerebral vascular function remained intact. Of note, cerebral vessels during hypercapnia were capable of further dilation when exposed to additional cerebral vasodilators and, significant vasoconstriction when exposed to vasoconstrictors. Extrapolating these findings to infants, we suggest that severe hypercapnia should be avoided, because it could cause/increase cerebrovascular injury.
Closure of a systemic to pulmonary shunt in premature infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia may be beneficial, but in the presence of pulmonary hypertension is controversial. Here, we discuss two premature infants with pulmonary hypertension who developed acute pulmonary hypertensive crisis after closure of these shunts and hence advise caution.
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